Sarlat - in the Dordogne

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In the language of tourism, the  word medieval is often an exaggeration; towns and buildings often get labeled medieval because they have old narrow streets and a few buildings put up before the Industrial revolution. But in the case of Sarlat, the term medieval is used with some justification.

    The Middle Ages came to an end in the mid fifteenth century, around 1450;  many of the old stone buildings in the historic area of Sarlat are older than this, while others date from the Renaissance or later. But what characterizes Sarlat in particular is the concentration of old buildings in the old town, and the lack of modern development in the historic area. Well after the end of the Middle Ages, Sarlat's inhabitants and burghers continued to develop their town in the way of their ancestors. Modernity and the Industrial Revolution passed by this town that remains to this day well off any major communication routes. It even lies 12 kilometres away from  the river Dordogne, once the main route of communications running through the area.

   Officially, old Sarlat is recognised as having the greatest concentration of officially classed historic buildings of any town in France - 66 in all in the 11 hectare area of the old town. Sarlat has featured as a "medieval" backdrop in countless films and advertisements. Just 40 kilometers from the famous Vézère valley and surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Périgord Noir, Sarlat and its area offer visitors a choice of sites of historic interest and natural beauty.

    Note for visitors. Sarlat can get very busy with tourists at weekends and during the summer holiday period. 

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Old Sarlat

Sarlat's origins date back to the Roman era, and the town flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries as a centre for trade, culture, and religion. Today, with its narrow winding streets, golden-hued stone buildings, and attractive town squares, carefully protected and restored, the heart of Sarlat is recognised as one of the most beautiful towns in France, and is one of Michelin's 100 small towns in France that are worth the detour.
  The heart of old Sarlat is the iconic Place de la Liberté. This picturesque square is the centre of life in Sarlat, with its weekly market where visitors can enjoy fresh local produce, local crafts, and the chance to sample the foie gras, truffles, and walnuts for which the Périgord area is renowned. The town's most prominent landmark is the Cathedral of Saint-Sacerdos, essentially rebuilt in the Gothic style in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on the site of an older church.

Among the many historic buildings in the old town, the most impressive is the Maison de La Boétie, a finely decorated Renaissance townhouse named after the 16th-century philosopher Étienne de La Boétie, who was born in Sarlat. Other interesting monuments to discover are the 17th century Hotel de Ville (town hall), on Place de la Liberté,  the Lanterne des Morts (a 12th century funerary tower), and the unfinished fifteeenth century Church of Sainte-Marie, which is nowadays used as a covered market.

The narrow streets and squares of the old town offer visitors a good choice of restaurants, bars and brasseries, along with arts and craft shops.

The Dordogne area is famous for its characteristic villages, rolling hills, deep valleys, and the winding Dordogne River, making it ideal for hiking, canoeing, and cycling, as well as touring by car. The surrounding countryside is also home to some of France’s most famous prehistoric sites, including the International Centre for Prehistoric Art at Lascaux, with its lifesize and very realistic replica of the historic caves which are closed to the public for reasons of conservation. Nearby the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume is another remarkable cave with ancient artwork; and for something different, the Grotte du Grand Roc, just outside Les Eyzies, has some of the most beautiful stalagmites and stalactites in France.

For wine enthusiasts and foodies, Sarlat and the Dordogne area provide a wealth of opportunities. The area is renowned for its traditional cuisine, particularly its truffles, foie gras, and duck-based dishes. The weekly markets in Sarlat provide an abundance of fresh, locally-produced ingredients, and  restaurants pride themselves in offering local specialities and locally sourced produce.

Nearby Attractions:

• Lascaux Caves: 40 km north of Sarlat, the world-famous caves of Lascaux have some of the world's finest prehistoric art, with polychrome paintings of animals painted some 17,000 years ago. The UNESCO World Heritage site is closed to the public, but the caves and their paintings have been meticulously reproduced with laser guided precision in a state of the art replica, known asLascaux 4.

• La Roque-Gageac: A very photogenic village standing on the banks of the river Dordogne, known for its cliffside dwellings and beautiful views.

• Castelnaud-la-Chapelle: Standing on a clifftop overlooking the Dordogne close to La Roque-Gageac, this medieval fortress offerers panoramic views and a fascinating museum of medieval warfare.

• Domme: This bastide town, founded at the time of the 100 years' war, is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Dordogne Valley .

• Les Eyzies: heart of the prehistoric heritage area of the Vézère valley, Les Eyzies has a museum of prehistory, and several visitable prehistoric sites in the vicinity, with cave paintings and sculptures

Outdoor Activities:

• Canoeing on the Dordogne River: The river offers a peaceful and scenic setting for canoeing, with guided tours and rentals.

• Hiking and Cycling: The rolling hills and forests around Sarlat are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous marked trails and routes to explore.
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• By car: Sarlat is not on any main route, but is easily accessible by car in about 2 hours from Bordeaux and 1.5 hours from Toulouse. The nearest point on a motorway is Souillac, on the A20 (Paris) - Vierzon - Toulouse motorway

• By train:  Sarlat-la-Canéda railway station is at the end of a branch line, with direct trains to Bergerac, Bordeaux and Périgueux. the train station is a short walk to the town center.

• By air: The closest airport is Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport, about 1 hour’s drive from Sarlat, with seasonal flights from the UK and the Netherlands. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport is a little further away but offers a bigger range of international flights.